The mediating role of depression, anxiety and stress in the relationship between hedonic eating and loneliness in women

This study aimed to examine the mediating roles of depression, anxiety, and stress in the relationship between hedonic eating and loneliness among adult women. The study sample consisted of 278 women residing in Gümüşhane, Turkey. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the UCLA Loneliness Scale, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Hedonic Eating Scale. Analyses were conducted using Independent Samples T-Test, One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Parallel Mediation Analysis (PROCESS Macro Model 4). The findings indicated that there were significant positive relationships between hedonic eating and loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress. According to the results of the mediation analysis, depression and anxiety significantly mediated the relationship between hedonic eating and loneliness, whereas stress did not play a mediating role. These results suggest that hedonic eating exerts indirect effects on individuals’ psychological well-being and tendencies toward loneliness, highlighting the need for intervention programs focused on enhancing emotional regulation skills.